Three days later, they were finishing the final preparations for Thom, Seamus, Cameron, and J.T. to ride out on their trading run\u2014more of a scouting run, if Thom was honest with himself about the whole thing.<\/p>\n
Still not sure what we\u2019ll run into out there, after all\u2014not sure what there is to find.<\/em> They had an idea of what was close\u2014the settlement of survivors near where Holland used to be, but beyond that, they didn\u2019t have much of anything to on at all.<\/p>\n Touch and go\u2014gut feelings and signs of life. That\u2019s all we\u2019ll have.<\/em><\/p>\n He checked the bindings on the pack horse\u2019s load again, trying to ignore the fact that he\u2019d have to say good-bye to his wife soon, that he\u2019d be leaving her alone here for at least a week, maybe longer. He didn\u2019t like the idea of leaving Marin any more than Cameron liked leaving Neve, or J.T. liked leaving Carolyn, or Seamus liked leaving Leinth, but it had to be done.<\/p>\n There are too many things in our lives that are like that. That had better change someday.<\/em><\/p>\n He had little faith that it would without their forcing the issue.<\/p>\n A hand touched his shoulder. He didn\u2019t have to turn to know it was her. He leaned against the pack horse\u2019s flank and sighed as Marin slid her arms around his waist.<\/p>\n \u201cI almost want to ask you to come with us,\u201d he murmured. Marin laughed, her breath stirring the hairs on the back of his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s stopping you?\u201d she asked softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to risk you like that.\u201d He sighed and wrapped one of his hands around hers and squeezed tightly. \u201cYou\u2019ll be careful while I\u2019m gone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if you make me the same promise.\u201d Marin pressed a kiss to the back of his neck. \u201cYou will, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come home,\u201d Thom promised. \u201cI\u2019ll always come home.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Three days later, they were finishing the final preparations for Thom, Seamus, Cameron, and J.T. to ride out on their trading run\u2014more of a scouting run, if Thom was honest with himself about the whole thing. Still not sure what … Continue reading